tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3380576811547387142017-07-30T20:26:17.268-04:00KnitOasisKnitting with Tamara Goff, Craft Yarn Council Certified InstructorTamara Goffnoreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-32339147049061950402014-06-13T10:25:00.000-04:002015-10-27T11:02:47.519-04:00Moving Day(s)!My journey on the web has been a long and winding road that has now led to...(drum roll, please!)...<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">An Honest to Goodness <a href="http://www.knitoasis.com/">WEBSITE</a>!</span></b></div><br />I have used Blogger <i>for years </i>(<a href="http://wowigottablogfinally.blogspot.com/2006/05/kids-are-hanging-over-my-shoulder.html">my first post--May 22, 2006)</a> and migrated from a Blog About Everything to a Blog About Knitting (this one) that had links to my patterns and my classes.&nbsp; It's been a good tool to use for a long time.<br /><br />As my career as a designer ramps up, I have been looking for ways to, well, look more professional.&nbsp; My business cards were changed within the last year to reflect this and now so has my primary online presence.&nbsp; I say "primary" because, honestly, I'm online <i>all</i> over the place.<br /><br />So please, bear with me as I pack up the boxes and move things to the new location.&nbsp; There will be some dusty corners and I know that as soon as we move the big pieces of furniture and the appliances we will find things we'd forgotten about and probably dozens of cat toys as well.<br /><br />Things will be roomier in the new location and once we get unpacked and hang the pictures on the walls, I know it will be a lovely home for some fantastic knitting goodness.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In the meantime, tell your friends, embarrass your enemies and update your bookmarks, because&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://knitoasis.com/"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">KNITOASIS.COM</span></b></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">is live!</span></div><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-84001487522316865472014-06-10T07:30:00.000-04:002014-06-10T07:30:01.412-04:00Fiber Feel Day<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfzYsO1Fw6o/U5Y2SgwESUI/AAAAAAAABqc/KjOeeEL_188/s1600/10389239_10152495761423523_2713955869055996568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lfzYsO1Fw6o/U5Y2SgwESUI/AAAAAAAABqc/KjOeeEL_188/s1600/10389239_10152495761423523_2713955869055996568_n.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The LYDIA booth. Photo by the awesome Lynn Dukes.</td></tr></tbody></table>Over the weekend I had the opportunity to be a Yarn Minion to the lovely and gracious Angela, owner of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LYDIAyarn">LYDIA</a> Yarns, LLC for the 2nd annual <a href="http://localcloth.org/marketing.html">Fiber Feel Day</a> in Asheville, NC.&nbsp; This event is sponsored by <a href="http://localcloth.org/about.html">Local Cloth</a>, a cooperative of fiber farmers (think sheep and alpacas) in the Western North Carolina/Upstate South Carolina area.<br /><br />There were vendors with fleeces, with roving, with yarn and all sorts of things made from fiber--clothing, jewelry, rugs and more.&nbsp; The weather was perfect (you really can't beat those cool mountain breezes on a June day!) and the shoppers and fellow vendors were friendly and pleasant.&nbsp; It was great fun!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VWJmFXWtFk/U5YHZ1VTEbI/AAAAAAAABpo/5UkfqMIZQTM/s1600/IMG_5064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0VWJmFXWtFk/U5YHZ1VTEbI/AAAAAAAABpo/5UkfqMIZQTM/s1600/IMG_5064.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8II7n6yLE/U5YKzmlRqrI/AAAAAAAABp0/Hm29Ve8q3KE/s1600/IMG_5061.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WI8II7n6yLE/U5YKzmlRqrI/AAAAAAAABp0/Hm29Ve8q3KE/s1600/IMG_5061.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baby lamb. One day old!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AdolzrN544/U5YLFO-Vl6I/AAAAAAAABqM/ge8_tR9Umww/s1600/IMG_5050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_AdolzrN544/U5YLFO-Vl6I/AAAAAAAABqM/ge8_tR9Umww/s1600/IMG_5050.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers were so pretty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mFcamX71Q/U5YLClpskzI/AAAAAAAABp8/4Ei9fB0IyPA/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x_mFcamX71Q/U5YLClpskzI/AAAAAAAABp8/4Ei9fB0IyPA/s1600/IMG_5051.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many flowers!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvMQSmmW_eQ/U5YLCSlz3TI/AAAAAAAABqA/DoC9RSA8D3A/s1600/IMG_5052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hvMQSmmW_eQ/U5YLCSlz3TI/AAAAAAAABqA/DoC9RSA8D3A/s1600/IMG_5052.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My latest pattern made its debut! Look for it in a kit available soon from LYDIA Yarn!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50pJNhp1RTU/U5YHYmrB4yI/AAAAAAAABpg/Rf2qpdF5ZLI/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-50pJNhp1RTU/U5YHYmrB4yI/AAAAAAAABpg/Rf2qpdF5ZLI/s1600/IMG_5066.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vendors, shoppers, and a gorgeous mountain day.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFnaFjcEVzw/U5Y3L3qAbcI/AAAAAAAABqk/iYJs_1-Ya-U/s1600/IMG_5073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JFnaFjcEVzw/U5Y3L3qAbcI/AAAAAAAABqk/iYJs_1-Ya-U/s1600/IMG_5073.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and Roscoe, our cutie-pie mascot.</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-78825075424431285992014-06-03T08:00:00.000-04:002014-06-03T08:00:05.668-04:00Socks and Summer: Made for each other<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>It's the first week of June and you know what that means, right?&nbsp; July will be here before you have time to wash the ninth load of beach towels!<br /><br />And that can only mean that the Sizzling, Sensational, Summer Sock workShop is coming up soon!<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><u>S</u>uper <u>S</u>ummer <u>S</u>ock work<u>S</u>hop!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsiLeJ326K8/UbPECMKgIhI/AAAAAAAAAuU/iPgRfM-XpsA/s1600/sockpic1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SsiLeJ326K8/UbPECMKgIhI/AAAAAAAAAuU/iPgRfM-XpsA/s320/sockpic1.jpg" height="273" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Sean Money, The Charleston Museum</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b>Sock Classes, July 12 and 19</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">I'll be teaching the cuff-down sock on double pointed needles (my favorite method!). You'll learn just how enjoyable it can be to knit socks for yourself or for gifts. As with so much of knitting, it's really not that hard with someone showing you how to do it.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="p1" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">This is a two-part workshop to give you time to learn all the techniques that will make you a successful sock knitter.</span> <span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">There's a lot to learn but it's also a lot of fun!</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">If you'd just like to brush up on certain sock knitting techniques, you can just take the class covering that topic.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><u><b>Socks I</b></u></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">In this class we will cast on using double pointed needles, join in the round, do ribbing and stockinette, and knit a heel flap. We'll also discuss fit and patterns.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><b><u>Socks II</u></b></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">In this class we will turn the heel, pick up stitches for the gusset,&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">do gusset and toe decreases and learn the Kitchener stitch.</span><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><u><b>When, Where and How Much:</b> </u></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Class time:&nbsp; 9am-noon</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Class location: Panera Bread near the Outlet Mall</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Class Dates: <b><span style="color: #274e13;">Socks I</span></b>: Saturday, July 12</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Socks II</b></span>: Saturday, July 19 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Class fee: $35/student for one class or $60/student for both classes</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Ages 12 and up </span></div></div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">What you need to know:</span></u></b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">The basics of knitting: cast on, bind off, knit and purl. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><b><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">What you'll learn:</span></u></b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Sock construction, turning a heel, Kitchener stitch toe grafting, fit, and much more.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><u><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">What you need to bring:</span></b></u><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">One set of double-pointed knitting needles, US size 3.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Sock or fingering weight yarn, 100 grams will make a pair of socks, size medium men's or ladies large.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Also helpful: scissors, yarn needle for weaving in ends, and measuring tape.</span><br /><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u>Please register by email, no later than July 5:</u></span></b><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">knitoasis at gmail dot com</span><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u></u></span></b><br /><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u><br /></u></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><u><br /></u></span></b><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">&nbsp;</span> </span></div>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-82749667642707879342014-05-30T07:30:00.000-04:002014-05-30T08:06:40.575-04:00Simple Knitting Tips: Where is Your Yarn??<span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">I was peacefully knitting myself a pair of my <a href="http://knitoasiscreations.blogspot.com/2012/10/mostly-ridge-rib-socks-free-and-mostly.html#.U4hzyS8-OS4">(Mostly) Ridge Rib Socks</a> one day, when I glanced down at my needles to see that the yarn was not where I thought it was, and consequently not where it should have been. And I thought, it's a good thing I caught this because it would have made a mess that would have been hard to trace, diagnose, and fix. And naturally it turned into a blog post. Naturally.&nbsp;</span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">How many mistakes have been made--and could have been avoided--because our yarn was not where it should have been. This applies to both the working yarn and the tail yarn.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Some scenarios:&nbsp;</span></div><div><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">1. Knitting with the tail.&nbsp;</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">One of the first things we teach beginners, yet seasoned veterans still find themselves doing this occasionally. Awkward.</span><br /><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">2. Working yarn is in the wrong place for knit stitch or purl stitch.&nbsp;</span></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Yarn front to purl, yarn back to knit.&nbsp; Unless the directions say otherwise--in so many words.</span></div><div><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">3. Yarn in the cat's mouth.&nbsp;</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Pets and knitting is not always a happy mix.&nbsp; I have a friend who has cats who will dig in the knitting bag for yarn then run off with it.&nbsp; Needless to say, she has to use knitting bags with zippers!</span></div><div><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">4. Yarn caught in a dpn.&nbsp;</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">This is what happened to spark this blog post.&nbsp; I was two stitches into the pattern on one needle and must have set the sock down and picked it back up and when I did, the working yarn had gotten wrapped around the needle not in use.&nbsp; Because the yarn was dark, (and the needles were, too, come to think of it), I didn't see what was going on immediately.&nbsp; My Spidey senses were tingling though and I've learned to pay attention to them. They were asking me, "Where is your yarn?!?!"</span><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7O6Ek0F5qw/U4OvqkZUEoI/AAAAAAAABj4/lMV9_g_i2eQ/s1600/IMG_4674.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b7O6Ek0F5qw/U4OvqkZUEoI/AAAAAAAABj4/lMV9_g_i2eQ/s1600/IMG_4674.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Yarn caught in dpn" issue, except with lighter yarn so you can actually SEE it!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"></span><u><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">5. Yarn wrapped too many times around the needle.</span></u><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Intentional yarn-overs are lovely things, aren't they?&nbsp; The unintentional kind are not. I've seen the yarn wrapped too many times before working the rest of the stitch as a result of paying too little attention to the process of the stitch.&nbsp; And maybe also a result of there being an adult beverage in range.&nbsp; Just maybe.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">&nbsp;These are only a few examples--I would love to hear from you other scenarios so we can get the word out about this insidious problem.&nbsp; OK, maybe not insidious, but certainly pernicious, right?</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Also, the (Mostly)Ridge Rib Sock pattern is a free pattern, available to download from Ravelry <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mostly-ridge-rib-socks">HERE.</a></span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span>&nbsp;</div>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-34738951653394459152014-05-26T08:00:00.000-04:002014-05-26T08:00:02.916-04:00Memorial Day in the USA: Are you ready for Summer Knitting?Today is Memorial Day in this country, a day to remember those who have died in service to our nation.&nbsp; It is celebrated with parades, picnics, pool openings and sometimes a smidge of panic.&nbsp; For most of us it marks the unofficial beginning of Summer. Schools will be out soon if they aren't already, and there will be vacations to take and (hopefully) long hours ahead of relaxation and of course, knitting.&nbsp; And that, friends, is where the smidge of panic comes into play.<br /><br />There are many things about Summer that can cause any knitter to panic just a bit.&nbsp; The sudden influx of free time if you're lucky enough to have it, the change in schedules and locations that travel can bring, the weather, the celebrations...it's enough to make your head spin.<br /><br />We're going to be smart about it, though, and plan ahead for these things by discussing them in an ongoing series that begins today:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="font-size: large;"><b>&nbsp;</b></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Summer Knitting</b></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBFhzIUG5iw/U35SqxIo1TI/AAAAAAAABis/N6WOyJa6-Qo/s1600/IMG_3719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EBFhzIUG5iw/U35SqxIo1TI/AAAAAAAABis/N6WOyJa6-Qo/s1600/IMG_3719.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><br /><br /><b>Summer Knitting, part 1: Knitting vs. Holidays</b><br /><i>How can I fit knitting into our family's holiday observance?</i><br /><br />Remember that family is special and so is your knitting time.&nbsp; Also, <span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="color: blue;"><b><a href="http://wowigottablogfinally.blogspot.com/2010/07/on-knitting-up-perfect-holiday.html">nothing is perfect</a></b></span></span> and if you manage not to overplan your holiday, there should be time for some knitting at some point.&nbsp; If not, don't sweat it.<br /><br />Last year on the 4th of July, I sat peacefully indoors by a window, knitting, while my son and hubby blew up fireworks in the driveway and my daughter practiced piano.&nbsp; It may have been our best 4th yet.<br /><br />Try to remember that it's summer and you should have more peace in your life.&nbsp; <br /><br />Take your knitting wherever your summer plans lead you.&nbsp; It's a conversation starter, it's a generation gap bridger, and it's a sanity saver.&nbsp; Be mindful of your manners (of course!) and don't let your focus be completely on your project if it will mean snubbing the people around you.&nbsp; It's actually easier to pay attention to someone while you are knitting than it is if you are staring at your smartphone, but be as polite as possible.&nbsp; <br /><br />A holiday doesn't mean you have to take a break from your knitting.&nbsp; If you're like me, you won't be taking a break from cooking, so you should knit, too.&nbsp; Totally.&nbsp; You have my permission, if you need it ;)<br /><br />Happy Memorial Day!<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyHuPqAklmI/U35TERvSeEI/AAAAAAAABi8/5z1laVah8_k/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kyHuPqAklmI/U35TERvSeEI/AAAAAAAABi8/5z1laVah8_k/s1600/IMG_3930.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Knitting and picnics go together like macaroni and cheese</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-6733121327037998572014-05-23T10:00:00.000-04:002014-05-23T10:00:00.691-04:00Things you may have missed: Tumblr<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Did you know that KnitOasis is also on Tumblr?&nbsp; If you're not over there, here are a few things you missed recently...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6h0A9B7Vquw/U31fUe3dJ_I/AAAAAAAABic/obPHE0IvzIw/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6h0A9B7Vquw/U31fUe3dJ_I/AAAAAAAABic/obPHE0IvzIw/s1600/IMG_0008.jpg" height="320" width="183" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Geometry via sock gusset.&nbsp; It's a beautiful thing :)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fRLXpT_UNs/U31bH3qKdnI/AAAAAAAABiE/XoX0ERcHCB8/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3fRLXpT_UNs/U31bH3qKdnI/AAAAAAAABiE/XoX0ERcHCB8/s1600/IMG_0005.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reblogged from <a href="http://craftic.tumblr.com/">Craftic</a>. Love this.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKpIJdGlru4/U31bIPLGlkI/AAAAAAAABiI/c4Usb2FuvP8/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XKpIJdGlru4/U31bIPLGlkI/AAAAAAAABiI/c4Usb2FuvP8/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="320" width="187" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random yarn shot. I'm a big fan of yarn in general. Shocker!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMtj3hKQAq0/U31bI3oJgeI/AAAAAAAABiU/wGmogwrwEv8/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YMtj3hKQAq0/U31bI3oJgeI/AAAAAAAABiU/wGmogwrwEv8/s1600/IMG_0007.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Am I the only one this happens to??</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For more Tumblr goodies, click here----- <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/blog/knitoasis">KnitOasis on Tumblr</a><br /><br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-67553565221616300142014-05-19T08:30:00.000-04:002014-05-19T08:30:02.108-04:00Weaving Workshop, part 2: In which I twist fringe and weave on a really old loom<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>On Saturday we had part 2 of the Beginning Weaving workshop at the <a href="http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/home">Charleston Museum</a>, taught by the talented Judy and, as near as I could tell, enjoyed by one and all.&nbsp; For the most part our weaving was finished when we got to class, so we learned what happens next: how to take them off the loom, deal with The Fringe Question and account for any loose ends.<br /><br />We also got to go into the store room at the Museum (a magical and wonderful place) and see some woven textiles in the Museum's collection, then out into the exhibits to see the enormous 4-harness loom and even more woven textiles.&nbsp; Plus we got to watch as Judy pinpointed the patterns using her grandmother's weaving pattern book.&nbsp; History in the making, folks!<br /><br />AND THEN! We got to weave on a different 4-harness loom (from the 1850's, I think).&nbsp; It was more complicated than our rigid heddle looms, but made sense now that we are bonafide weavers.&nbsp;<br /><br />All that was left after that was to compare our finished scarves. We decided they were ALL quite lovely!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U01I7rjWYqI/U3fpu--tkBI/AAAAAAAABfk/paPZbVsL3V8/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U01I7rjWYqI/U3fpu--tkBI/AAAAAAAABfk/paPZbVsL3V8/s1600/IMG_0124.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of fringe on Judy's scarves, woven from yarn she dyed in my Indigo workshop (shameless plug alert).</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NODKLSFxKvc/U3fpsRPBdQI/AAAAAAAABfg/MJPGLmc7nvY/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NODKLSFxKvc/U3fpsRPBdQI/AAAAAAAABfg/MJPGLmc7nvY/s1600/IMG_0056.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Demonstrating fringe twisting on my scarf.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-sBaCpXiUbgE%2FU3fqaz-j9AI%2FAAAAAAAABgs%2FIpAOHrRuTvg%2Fs1600%2FIMG_0067.jpg&amp;container=blogger&amp;gadget=a&amp;rewriteMime=image%2F*" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBaCpXiUbgE/U3fqaz-j9AI/AAAAAAAABgs/IpAOHrRuTvg/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Judy explains the finer points of removing a project from the loom.</td></tr></tbody></table><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sBaCpXiUbgE/U3fqaz-j9AI/AAAAAAAABgs/IpAOHrRuTvg/s1600/IMG_0067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9ph4uedp74/U3fqghYjOTI/AAAAAAAABg0/PrBDzrdvl0M/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c9ph4uedp74/U3fqghYjOTI/AAAAAAAABg0/PrBDzrdvl0M/s1600/IMG_0079.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some woven coverlets in the Museum's collection.&nbsp; So much variety!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zafGTryzdJk/U3f-iNWKoaI/AAAAAAAABhA/XPmUUJ42sx0/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zafGTryzdJk/U3f-iNWKoaI/AAAAAAAABhA/XPmUUJ42sx0/s1600/IMG_0086.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The large 4-harness on exhibit.&nbsp; My kids have woven on it during Homeschool History Class, because our museum is awesome like that. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqF3jgbl2bM/U3f-i8jLb_I/AAAAAAAABhI/tVtIWV82pJc/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PqF3jgbl2bM/U3f-i8jLb_I/AAAAAAAABhI/tVtIWV82pJc/s1600/IMG_0087.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacquard weaving on exhibit.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMSfReVVGNM/U3fqH2P_NXI/AAAAAAAABgU/uLrnaZqXjzw/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EMSfReVVGNM/U3fqH2P_NXI/AAAAAAAABgU/uLrnaZqXjzw/s1600/IMG_0093.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See how it looks like I know what I am doing? See how close an eye Jan Hiester, Curator of Textiles, is keeping on me while I touch the valuable antique?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcyeUB9pnv0/U3fp8S1rJzI/AAAAAAAABf8/ukoR5oVZZ0M/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IcyeUB9pnv0/U3fp8S1rJzI/AAAAAAAABf8/ukoR5oVZZ0M/s1600/IMG_0114.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The awesome Claudia, showing the smaller 4-harness loom who's boss.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOV6V37s_Qc/U3fqEXT7hmI/AAAAAAAABgM/UsD4BLtG2ZA/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOV6V37s_Qc/U3fqEXT7hmI/AAAAAAAABgM/UsD4BLtG2ZA/s1600/IMG_0103.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet Lynn, who can do EVERYthing, weaving while Judy looks on.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYR5LrpA9Ik/U3fqA4BarRI/AAAAAAAABgE/oCOQlvxLm_o/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYR5LrpA9Ik/U3fqA4BarRI/AAAAAAAABgE/oCOQlvxLm_o/s1600/IMG_0122.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela used her own <a href="http://lydiayarn.squarespace.com/">LYDIA Yarn</a> to weave her scarf. It's SO soft!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRLn7eExbU/U3fpzObIK7I/AAAAAAAABfs/HLASl2c-UAI/s1600/IMG_0115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZRLn7eExbU/U3fpzObIK7I/AAAAAAAABfs/HLASl2c-UAI/s1600/IMG_0115.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These were both woven with similar yarns, but with different techniques.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK2MgPl_NJE/U3fp4W3qXPI/AAAAAAAABf4/E1wooQOvRwM/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TK2MgPl_NJE/U3fp4W3qXPI/AAAAAAAABf4/E1wooQOvRwM/s1600/IMG_0097.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The beautiful Jessica with her beautiful scarf.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fQXTBN4OVI/U3fqQoXYtYI/AAAAAAAABgc/-u0-dS3YzPU/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8fQXTBN4OVI/U3fqQoXYtYI/AAAAAAAABgc/-u0-dS3YzPU/s1600/IMG_0072.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love how Emma Lee's turned out with silvery-blue and white!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoqSgONj2XE/U3fqTiXNIwI/AAAAAAAABgk/X2P_-FKleIM/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EoqSgONj2XE/U3fqTiXNIwI/AAAAAAAABgk/X2P_-FKleIM/s1600/IMG_0118.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kristy got creative with fringe knotting!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6q2xfeIbzo/U3gCcyp9puI/AAAAAAAABhU/7zuhoPL26x4/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s6q2xfeIbzo/U3gCcyp9puI/AAAAAAAABhU/7zuhoPL26x4/s1600/IMG_0117.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My finished scarf! Plaid tidings!</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-43210468338364833072014-05-16T09:00:00.000-04:002014-05-16T09:00:09.893-04:00Weaving, Part 1: In which I branch out into alternative textiles.First of all, let me reassure you that I will not be giving up knitting in favor of weaving.&nbsp; It just ain't gonna happen.&nbsp; If, however, the universe brings me a rigid heddle loom, I will now know what to do with both it and a whole lot of bits of yarn I have yet to knit...<br /><br /><br />Secondly, let me introduce you to our instructor Judy...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ8L4z5uMvk/U3JG_qp-cKI/AAAAAAAABdA/FZCUwpUl1ac/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJ8L4z5uMvk/U3JG_qp-cKI/AAAAAAAABdA/FZCUwpUl1ac/s1600/IMG_0025.jpg" height="320" width="199" /></a></div>I love this pic of her because she looks so happy.&nbsp; And you know what?&nbsp; I'm happy that we crossed paths at one of my indigo dyeing workshops, because that led to this beginning weaving workshop at The Charleston Museum.&nbsp; Plus it meant I got to hang out and learn from someone who has been weaving since she was a wee slip of a girl, in addition to studying Navajo weaving in Colorado for several years.&nbsp; I told y'all that interesting people show up at my workshops--now do you believe me?? <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_YiOFZUeig/U3JIqMQpf6I/AAAAAAAABdo/2fvYEWM5xww/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P_YiOFZUeig/U3JIqMQpf6I/AAAAAAAABdo/2fvYEWM5xww/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;These are only a few of the things she has woven--not all on a rigid heddle, but all gorgeous.</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Once we put together our Ashford looms, we had to learn how to put the warp on.&nbsp; There is probably another term for this, but I didn't retain it.&nbsp; There were strings going EVERYwhere up in there!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLFaPOZoLa0/U3JIQljFUiI/AAAAAAAABdQ/AE52ZpLqVeg/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iLFaPOZoLa0/U3JIQljFUiI/AAAAAAAABdQ/AE52ZpLqVeg/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>Somehow I ended up doing mulitple warp colors and then weaving with more than one color, too.&nbsp; It might be because I took 5 different colors with me since I couldn't make up my mind before the class started....<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-199ZhbuJY/U3JIXdnS1WI/AAAAAAAABdU/E3QMX9PArVs/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v-199ZhbuJY/U3JIXdnS1WI/AAAAAAAABdU/E3QMX9PArVs/s1600/IMG_0023.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before tying them down.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OV4kqm7cqYo/U3JIa2YnSZI/AAAAAAAABdc/6iz63AMJJtI/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OV4kqm7cqYo/U3JIa2YnSZI/AAAAAAAABdc/6iz63AMJJtI/s1600/IMG_0026.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After tying them down. But before re-tying, since I didn't do it right the first time....</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt3VYwcRUeU/U3JIesefIYI/AAAAAAAABdg/sABgTraKJGk/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt3VYwcRUeU/U3JIesefIYI/AAAAAAAABdg/sABgTraKJGk/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me shuttle's been wrapped, arghhh, I'm ready to weave!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbI2C3Tf-70/U3JLiSOZI9I/AAAAAAAABec/bo6uZs_9iqw/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CbI2C3Tf-70/U3JLiSOZI9I/AAAAAAAABec/bo6uZs_9iqw/s1600/IMG_0019.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Say, "Weeeeave!!!!"</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPOlyXUaAFM/U3JL2qwxUoI/AAAAAAAABek/varphqQ9O34/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OPOlyXUaAFM/U3JL2qwxUoI/AAAAAAAABek/varphqQ9O34/s1600/IMG_0033.jpg" height="320" width="240" />&nbsp;</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And presto! Weaving!&nbsp; It's uneven and might be really really wonky when it comes off the loom, but it's been a fun project to play with.&nbsp; My friends and I have been texting each other pics of our weaving and egging each other on, and thank goodness for that because the first time I turned that one wheel thing to give myself more weaving space, it darn near went ALL to pieces!&nbsp; (As you can see, I could have paid better attention to the vocabulary. Sorry, Judy!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The workshop concludes this Saturday and I will find out how well I did on my very first project.&nbsp; If it's terrible, you can plan on seeing how all my friends' projects turned out instead....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-16539184348147358352014-05-14T23:06:00.000-04:002014-05-14T23:06:50.164-04:00Spring Yarn Event and Contest (hint: you could win free yarn!)<div style="text-align: center;">Remember me telling you about the lovely yarns at <a href="http://knitoasis.blogspot.com/2014/04/in-which-i-talk-with-owner-of-exciting.html#.U3QuO8fTy3c">LYDIA Yarn, LLC</a>?&nbsp; (It happened<a href="http://knitoasis.blogspot.com/2014/04/part-2-of-my-talk-with-lydia-yarn-owner.html#.U3QuPsfTy3c"> two times</a>, in case you missed it...) Well, Spring is in the air over there and as new Spring yarn colors are being debuted, there is a contest going on at the same time.&nbsp; Want to get in on the action? Of course you do, because THIS is what you could win:</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LPmd0u-guuE/U3QsJUG58-I/AAAAAAAABe0/ehRHMBEqFXA/s1600/lydiaspringyarnevent.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">LYDIA dream: Sport weight, 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, 287 yards per skein, Photo by LYDIA Yarns.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Isn't that GORGEOUS?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here's another pic:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NHKtImp0saI/U3Qsh7UNwuI/AAAAAAAABe8/2aN6sq9j0Bc/s1600/lydiapringyarnevent2.2.jpg" height="300" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="userContent"><span class="text_exposed_show">LYDIA dream: Sport weight, 80% Alpaca/20% Silk, 287 yards per skein, photo by LYDIA Yarns.</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;For your chance to win, go to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/LYDIAyarnLLC">LYDIA Yarn, LLC on Facebook</a>, like the page and then share the new yarn each day on your own Facebook page.&nbsp; Yes, it really is that easy.&nbsp; Make sure your privacy setting is set to "Public" for that post so that Angela can see that you have shared it and enter your name in the drawing.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The contest ends soon, so don't dilly dally around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While you're waiting to win, head over to the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LYDIAyarn">LYDIA Etsy shop</a> and poke around...but only if you actually enjoy looking a pics of seriously beautiful, hand-dyed, luxury yarns!&nbsp; (Pro tip: if you see something you like, buy it while it's still there.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-29189110913982703722014-05-13T12:17:00.000-04:002014-05-13T12:17:51.989-04:00More inspiration--N.Charleston Arts FestivalI recently went with my daughter to the annual North Charleston Arts Festival, something I've dragged my kids to for years in hopes that they will embrace art in multiple forms. The Festival itself takes place over many days in many venues around town, but on the weekend they have a whole mess of arty stuff in one place with free admission and free parking and really, it's hard to beat for an afternoon's cultural enrichment.<br /><br />There seemed to be fewer vendors this year, or maybe it was just set up differently--I think there were more vendors in the exhibit hall BEHIND the rock and mineral show, which frankly made no sense to me and seemed like poor planning on the part of the Festival.&nbsp; If you're reading this, North Charleston Arts Dept, please put folks back out in the open so we don't miss anything!&nbsp; Love you!<br /><br />(I had hoped to run into <a href="http://knitoasis.blogspot.com/2012/05/bean-and-bug-babyknits.html#.U3JBqMfTyis">Bean and Bug Babyknits</a> or <a href="http://knitoasis.blogspot.com/2012/05/thrifty-sister.html#.U3JBrcfTyis">Thrifty Sister</a> again, but if ya'll were there, I didn't see you!) <br /><br />The first thing we saw when we walked in was this:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqeNLy_ePeg/U3I8QETEtKI/AAAAAAAABcU/tHUtCkvEnsI/s1600/IMG_3876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qqeNLy_ePeg/U3I8QETEtKI/AAAAAAAABcU/tHUtCkvEnsI/s1600/IMG_3876.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">If you guessed Bangladeshi folk dancers, you were right.&nbsp; In the 14 years I've lived in this area, this was my first Bangladeshi dancer sighting.&nbsp; Very cool. And about time, don't you think?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/---hoHWw5G4I/U3IhByDYgFI/AAAAAAAABbo/aHly-Z8mxic/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/---hoHWw5G4I/U3IhByDYgFI/AAAAAAAABbo/aHly-Z8mxic/s1600/IMG_3878.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And then there were "lamps" made from empty (liquor) bottles.&nbsp; I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions.</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goc_ZHR5aSI/U3Ig5j5i0vI/AAAAAAAABbg/VS8w1NUKKR4/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-goc_ZHR5aSI/U3Ig5j5i0vI/AAAAAAAABbg/VS8w1NUKKR4/s1600/IMG_3882.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">There was a lot of gorgeous artwork and photography. Plus this painting of knitting--nice!</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2-LTwaDgd8/U3I_6Co_77I/AAAAAAAABcw/UbVR7fnCbP8/s1600/IMG_3910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2-LTwaDgd8/U3I_6Co_77I/AAAAAAAABcw/UbVR7fnCbP8/s1600/IMG_3910.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And antiques!&nbsp; I love browsing through antiques.&nbsp; These, however, were definitely "man"tiques.&nbsp;</div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpNisSB8nAo/U3I_OrOhWmI/AAAAAAAABco/N1hcuOrIx54/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lpNisSB8nAo/U3I_OrOhWmI/AAAAAAAABco/N1hcuOrIx54/s1600/IMG_3905.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;Proof that art is subjective.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeOs6-2GFOc/U3IhRoaayvI/AAAAAAAABb4/i6YDeSFEDw0/s1600/IMG_3909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aeOs6-2GFOc/U3IhRoaayvI/AAAAAAAABb4/i6YDeSFEDw0/s1600/IMG_3909.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>At first I was like, "Cement sheep!&nbsp; We NEED one of these!" But as I have had occasion to look at this photo, I am reminded a bit too much of the Weeping Angels on Dr. Who and no, I shan't be acquiring a cement sheep now.&nbsp; Nor will I be blinking...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9aNQGb0kNw/U3IhG9d60XI/AAAAAAAABbw/ecLJRuKJvOg/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U9aNQGb0kNw/U3IhG9d60XI/AAAAAAAABbw/ecLJRuKJvOg/s1600/IMG_3883.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>I saved the best for last.&nbsp; Talk about inspiration! <span class="fbPhotosPhotoCaption" id="fbPhotoSnowliftCaption" tabindex="0"><span class="hasCaption">I absolutely love the work of this year's Arts Fest Design Competition winner, <a href="http://northcharlestonartsfest.com/design-winner/">Amiri Gueka Farris.</a> This is "Lowcountry Soiree." These mixed media beauties are still on display at the Performing Arts Center, so if you're local, go! If you have any other chance to see his work, do it! &nbsp;</span></span><br /><br />There was much more--dance, music, puppets, magicians and a large dollop of people watching.&nbsp; Plus, I had the satisfaction of knowing that I was immersing a kid in culture again, and that always makes me feel like a good mom.<br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-57981565024789689162014-05-02T10:36:00.000-04:002014-05-02T10:36:21.487-04:00Indigo Under the Trees: Scenes from the April 12th workshopOur most recent Indigo Dyeing workshop with <a href="http://www.charlestonmuseum.org/home">The Charleston Museum</a> took us outdoors at the amazing Dill Sanctuary, a property owned by the museum on James Island, just outside of Charleston. The weather was perfect and the students were, as usual, fun, interesting, eager to dye, and super creative!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeSlhc8Lksc/U2OqlyUUa_I/AAAAAAAABbA/c_jWMscu98s/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QeSlhc8Lksc/U2OqlyUUa_I/AAAAAAAABbA/c_jWMscu98s/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view. Breathtaking, isn't it?</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUFQ65lDIWg/U2OmktxjUNI/AAAAAAAABaU/MvtxNWw9rEE/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fUFQ65lDIWg/U2OmktxjUNI/AAAAAAAABaU/MvtxNWw9rEE/s1600/IMG_0028.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view in the other direction. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0hCxeBVc4U/U2OnEZRMfBI/AAAAAAAABa0/OCXP-VsuJTo/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z0hCxeBVc4U/U2OnEZRMfBI/AAAAAAAABa0/OCXP-VsuJTo/s1600/IMG_0047.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charleston Museum Curator of Textiles, Jan Hiester, shares some indigo history.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZgg6nbb0IA/U2Oqxwb_RDI/AAAAAAAABbI/cMoapr4EC08/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MZgg6nbb0IA/U2Oqxwb_RDI/AAAAAAAABbI/cMoapr4EC08/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time to dive in!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEerzCFITPQ/U2Om4WtjPvI/AAAAAAAABak/X_HEMzM935s/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VEerzCFITPQ/U2Om4WtjPvI/AAAAAAAABak/X_HEMzM935s/s1600/IMG_0053.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Messy fun.</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdE1iPZfYg8/U2OmhgqP-CI/AAAAAAAABaM/XgU0k4zU9Mk/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rdE1iPZfYg8/U2OmhgqP-CI/AAAAAAAABaM/XgU0k4zU9Mk/s1600/IMG_0073.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Experimenting with shibori techniques--gorgeous!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ5jjsMnkRY/U2Omvs6dRgI/AAAAAAAABac/n6B4y4fELmA/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YQ5jjsMnkRY/U2Omvs6dRgI/AAAAAAAABac/n6B4y4fELmA/s1600/IMG_0059.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love all the different shades of indigo.&nbsp; It never gets old.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kcOFGpxWvE/U2Om-SDzrEI/AAAAAAAABas/SUzKp-ChoVU/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9kcOFGpxWvE/U2Om-SDzrEI/AAAAAAAABas/SUzKp-ChoVU/s1600/IMG_0076.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I dyed a silk scarf.&nbsp; I love my job.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-28168631215453418722014-04-25T11:00:00.000-04:002014-04-25T11:00:05.107-04:00Part 2 of my talk with LYDIA Yarn owner and founder, Angela Cline.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Yesterday I posted the first part of an interview with Angela Cline, the founder and owner of<a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LYDIAyarn?ref=l2-shopheader-name"> LYDIA Yarn</a>, the exciting new hand-dyed yarn company that is creating quite a stir in the knitting community around here.&nbsp; I asked Angela about her motivations and what's ahead for her company.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSo4Jls1NLw/U1lQC33lBOI/AAAAAAAABZg/gCnPQtyS5bM/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QSo4Jls1NLw/U1lQC33lBOI/AAAAAAAABZg/gCnPQtyS5bM/s1600/IMG_0006.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma's Couch</td></tr></tbody></table><b>KnitOasis:</b> Where do you get your inspiration for the colors you make?<br /><b>AC:</b> My inspiration comes from my surroundings, as well as from my friends and family.&nbsp; When I was dyeing the Limeade yarn, I knew I wanted a bright green because I have friends who like greens and I looked out my window and the grass was such a bright green in my yard, I just worked to make that shade of green.&nbsp; I see color in people, in their personalities, and that inspires my color choices as well.&nbsp; Because my friends and family have been so supportive of me, my dedication to them will lead me to make certain shades of purple, for example, for the ones who love purples.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv1HU0xi5JI/U1lQGIGaQWI/AAAAAAAABZs/yKzwoLGtavE/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cv1HU0xi5JI/U1lQGIGaQWI/AAAAAAAABZs/yKzwoLGtavE/s1600/IMG_0017.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> What are YOUR favorite things to knit? <br /><b>AC:</b> Hats, socks, and now sweaters.<br /><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> What are your own favorite types of yarn?<br /><b>AC:</b>&nbsp; My personal favorite is worsted weight or larger yarn. I love the look of projects made from smaller yarns, but my fingers seem to work best with size 8 needles or larger. I am currently working on a sweater using DK weight yarn dyed with indigo on Size 5 needles and it is taking much longer than I am used to, but it is looking so good. My favorite type of yarn is Alpaca. I love the feel, look and warmth of alpaca yarn. The only problem is the use of alpaca in South Carolina sometimes is not very efficient because it is so warm. Alpaca also sheds a lot which I have found can be limited by mixing it with another fiber. LYDIA has a yarn in stock now that takes one ply of Alpaca and 1 ply of Merino twisted together, it looks so great and has this wonderful heathered look to it that comes from the natural color of the Alpaca fibers. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xk7b61WTvX4/U1lQETGUjlI/AAAAAAAABZw/iSaBc669LG8/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mint: 2 ply yarn – 1 ply Alpaca, 1 ply Merino: Fingering Weight</td></tr></tbody></table></b><br /><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> What can yarn buyers expect in the future from LYDIA?<br /><b>AC: </b>There are some exciting events in the works now. LYDIA will soon be offering kits with yarns and patterns unique to the LYDIA brand offered together. These kits are a wonderful thing to buy as a crafter because you have a whole project, including materials, right there in your hands. I know I like the kits as a consumer because I can really imagine what the finished project will look like. You can also look forward to more unique yarns being offered such as; mink, yak, camel and organic merinos.<br /><br /><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIN3bUdX3YE/U1lSGr3euEI/AAAAAAAABaA/yayaJQSIbuA/s1600/IMG_3292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mIN3bUdX3YE/U1lSGr3euEI/AAAAAAAABaA/yayaJQSIbuA/s1600/IMG_3292.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angela and I, out getting inspiration for yarn and knitwear.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-67833470067227371792014-04-24T13:40:00.000-04:002014-04-24T13:42:22.672-04:00In which I talk with the owner of an exciting new hand-dyed yarn company, part 1<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jinUmL_Gl_Q/U1k_Mw3W27I/AAAAAAAABYw/AiEtmnCPCBE/s1600/IMG_3675.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite: Limeade: 40% Alpaca, 40% Wool, 20% Silk: 1 ply: DK Weight</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table>As a knitter, knitting instructor and knitwear designer, it is very often my privilege to come into contact with some Pretty Amazing People Who Love Fiber.&nbsp; Occasionally, I manage to become good friends with some of those Amazing People, and then I get to follow along on their fiber journeys as well.&nbsp; This is so much fun for me.&nbsp; Because I work hard at what I do, when I see other people work hard as well and create new worlds of textile in their lives, it inspires me to keep plugging away at my own little corner of the knitting universe. <br /><br />Angela Cline is one of these Amazing People and is the founder and owner of <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LYDIAyarn?ref=l2-shopheader-name">LYDIA Yarn LLC</a>.&nbsp; She took time out of her busy day of dyeing scrumptious yarns to talk about the new company and whet our appetites for eye-popping color and fabulous fiber.<br /><br /><br /><b>KnitOasis</b>: Where does the name come from? LYDIA Yarn?<br /><b>AC:</b> It stands for Luxury Yarn Dyed In America.<br /><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> What do you think will make LYDIA different from other hand-dyed yarn companies?<br /><b>AC:</b> It goes back to the first word in the name LYDIA: Luxury.<br /><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> So, Luxury? What does that mean for you and for your customers?<br /><b>AC:</b> I love the feel of good quality yarns and it is so easy to tell when something was made really well, that is what LYDIA yarn customers are looking for. I think of luxury as the yarns that are made out of rare and amazing feeling materials such as Cashmere or Mink but I also think of luxury when looking at yarns that were made really well. The animals were well taken care of and the coat has an amazing healthy feel to it. The processing of the yarn and the materials used were well thought out and the finished product is sturdy and will last a lifetime. At LYDIA this is what we look for in yarn before giving it the tag “luxury”.<br /><br /><b>&nbsp;KnitOasis:</b> What experience do you bring to this venture? <br /><b>AC:</b> In my spare time I started getting into dying when taking classes with friends at the Charleston Museum. I learned about different techniques and processes that can be used from natural materials, such as leaves and walnut shells, to chemically processed materials, like pre-reduced indigo and powdered acid dyes. I found the entire process fascinating. After experimenting on my own with dyes and discovering effects I could create, I started to research the market for this yarn. I found a whole world out there and a community of people who do this for a living; it was exhilarating to discover this. I have an employment background in large manufacturing so I am very comfortable with lean production systems. This experience helps when it comes to running any type of business that produces products for retail. I also have an education in management and business and that really comes in handy when it comes to running the daily activities of a business from an accounting and procedural point of view. I just wish I had LYDIA yarn when completing my MBA because of all the business plans I had to write then.&nbsp; I could have saved so much time!<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YotDFnOT0UQ/U1k_TmnBHuI/AAAAAAAABY8/rWx_cXkLMGM/s1600/IMG_3680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YotDFnOT0UQ/U1k_TmnBHuI/AAAAAAAABY8/rWx_cXkLMGM/s1600/IMG_3680.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oyster Shell: 70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk: Light Fingering Weight</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>KnitOasis:</b> Describe your initial Etsy shop offering.<br /><b>AC:</b> Now that the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LYDIAyarn?ref=l2-shopheader-name">Etsy shop is open LYDIA </a>is selling a wide array of yarn bases in colors from all corners of the spectrum. Everything from the delicate light fingering weight yarns in a soft purple/red color “Oyster shell”. To the thick, warm cuddly yarn made out of sturdy superwash merino and nylon in the earth tone colorway “Grandma’s Couch.” <br /><br />Current Offerings;<br />2 ply yarn – 1 ply Alpaca: 1 ply Merino: Fingering Weight<br />40% Alpaca, 40% Wool, 20% Silk: 1 ply: DK Weight<br />80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon: Sock Weight (High-twist)<br />80% Superwash Merino, 20% Nylon: 1 ply: Bulky Weight<br />70% Superwash Merino, 30% Silk: 1 ply yarn: Light Fingering Weight<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ0qyhINvdg/U1k_TTKIh-I/AAAAAAAABY4/wKYFXiHghfc/s1600/IMG_3681.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peacock: 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon: Sock Weight (High-twist)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Check back tomorrow for part 2 of my chat with Angela, and learn about what inspires her and what she has planned for the future of LYDIA Yarn.<br /><br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-28090336098758986862014-04-21T10:11:00.000-04:002014-04-21T10:11:52.677-04:00A Monday Medley of Patterns, All Free<span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Today I posted a PDF link to a very old pattern that I first blogged about four years ago.&nbsp;&nbsp; If you're like me, when you find a free pattern you want to try, it makes life so much easier to have a downloadable PDF version, ready at the click of a button.&nbsp; (This is especially true since it usually takes me 20 minutes to track down the needles I'll need for the project, but I feel certain that most knitters are more organized than I am.&nbsp; Surely.)</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">This got me thinking about the other free patterns I have available, and although it's not Free Pattern Friday, I humbly offer, in honor of my newly re-posted Drop Stitch Garter Dishcloth:&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>A Monday Medley of Patterns, All Free</b></span></div><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OsGyVNEEpE/U1UeCJsAhLI/AAAAAAAABX8/7cbcyfOHPdA/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_OsGyVNEEpE/U1UeCJsAhLI/AAAAAAAABX8/7cbcyfOHPdA/s1600/IMG_0058.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/drop-stitch-cloth">Drop Stitch Garter Dishcloth</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGHZuchTCBY/U1Ui92eHuLI/AAAAAAAABYM/CudRmjNBISE/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGHZuchTCBY/U1Ui92eHuLI/AAAAAAAABYM/CudRmjNBISE/s1600/IMG_0052.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thousand-mile-journey">Thousand Mile Journey Scarf</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUgUqr1zd6c/U1Ulz8EA0LI/AAAAAAAABYg/nKFTGVedCNY/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wUgUqr1zd6c/U1Ulz8EA0LI/AAAAAAAABYg/nKFTGVedCNY/s1600/IMG_0064.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mostly-ridge-rib-socks">(Mostly) Ridge Rib Socks</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-CMJhpZ47Y/U1UjDajmOlI/AAAAAAAABYU/HYIOL1rnRLw/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i-CMJhpZ47Y/U1UjDajmOlI/AAAAAAAABYU/HYIOL1rnRLw/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brickworks-thin-finity-scarf">Brickworks Thin-Finity Scarf</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-21067230506561363932014-03-31T09:57:00.000-04:002014-03-31T09:57:45.869-04:00Inspiration everywhere: Quilt Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWtx2JkiY-w/UzlvaQW_ERI/AAAAAAAABWE/q7iuNHSsCOc/s1600/IMG_2835.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWtx2JkiY-w/UzlvaQW_ERI/AAAAAAAABWE/q7iuNHSsCOc/s1600/IMG_2835.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />Back on March 1, I went to a Quilt Show. (And thought I had blogged about it, so imagine my surprise today to realize I had NOT!)<br /><br />It was an overwhelming display of creativity, talent, color and the result of having a LOT of time to quilt.<br /><br />This show was sponsored by the <a href="http://www.cobblestonequilters.com/show2014.htm">Cobblestone Quilter's Guild</a>, a local Guild that puts this show on every two years.&nbsp; Plan ahead now for 2016--it's well worth your time!<br /><br />I love going to things like this because to me, knitting is an art, and being around other artistic people and works of art (textile and otherwise) is always inspirational.&nbsp; Always.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j14k1SEdbzw/UzluoIJDQdI/AAAAAAAABV8/KVEg0UgVMpI/s1600/IMG_2832.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j14k1SEdbzw/UzluoIJDQdI/AAAAAAAABV8/KVEg0UgVMpI/s1600/IMG_2832.PNG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaa9ln6pssA/UzlvjvUCXiI/AAAAAAAABWU/LxpwEaudFiw/s1600/IMG_2775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oaa9ln6pssA/UzlvjvUCXiI/AAAAAAAABWU/LxpwEaudFiw/s1600/IMG_2775.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my favorite.&nbsp; All that grey, a punch of color...oh my goodness I love it!!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5E1IugE_-TY/UzlvoXn7CQI/AAAAAAAABWc/RrTgq5Z5T6c/s1600/IMG_2795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5E1IugE_-TY/UzlvoXn7CQI/AAAAAAAABWc/RrTgq5Z5T6c/s1600/IMG_2795.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made from men's shirts. LOVE!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIS26lpNRbs/UzlvzCfBevI/AAAAAAAABWk/g0i09tf9Ipo/s1600/IMG_2801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EIS26lpNRbs/UzlvzCfBevI/AAAAAAAABWk/g0i09tf9Ipo/s1600/IMG_2801.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could knit something like this...on a smaller scale!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmxFA_PgREo/UzlwGeOG0fI/AAAAAAAABXE/Duyz-R47v3Q/s1600/IMG_2809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmxFA_PgREo/UzlwGeOG0fI/AAAAAAAABXE/Duyz-R47v3Q/s1600/IMG_2809.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;See the olive fabric? So cute!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7mfQ85hLLM/Uzlv_OGxUOI/AAAAAAAABW0/LK_q4Wr-I18/s1600/IMG_2788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r7mfQ85hLLM/Uzlv_OGxUOI/AAAAAAAABW0/LK_q4Wr-I18/s1600/IMG_2788.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one was amazing in person.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPPNGbt5GMM/Uzlv7u1X3nI/AAAAAAAABWs/O-rafVumzVE/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hPPNGbt5GMM/Uzlv7u1X3nI/AAAAAAAABWs/O-rafVumzVE/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the blues and tans!</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNhBsc4cYK4/UzlwD-Ye92I/AAAAAAAABW8/o_dhiGzXmvc/s1600/IMG_2810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNhBsc4cYK4/UzlwD-Ye92I/AAAAAAAABW8/o_dhiGzXmvc/s1600/IMG_2810.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so cool. This makes me want to knit, too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-2506165524932566862014-03-21T08:40:00.001-04:002014-03-21T08:40:22.275-04:00Free Pattern Friday: Red Scarf 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78-A8AAiAHE/UyrZ43BsiOI/AAAAAAAABVg/QBskbBJwEow/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-78-A8AAiAHE/UyrZ43BsiOI/AAAAAAAABVg/QBskbBJwEow/s1600/IMG_0054.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><br />After several false starts with designs that simply would not cooperate, this year's <b><a href="http://www.fc2success.org/how-you-can-help/red-scarf-project/">Red Scarf Project</a></b> Red Scarf is finally finished, published and available! Using Barbara Walker's purl twist fabric for inspiration,&nbsp; the Thousand Mile Journey scarf features a soft texture that looks a little like tire tracks.&nbsp; It's a lovely way to send a hug to a foster care student as they set out on the road of life.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The pattern for this scarf is available as a <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thousand-mile-journey">FREE Raverly download!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-50111577738676671382014-03-13T09:02:00.000-04:002014-03-13T09:02:16.077-04:00Throwback Thursday: from Sept, 2012---Why take a class?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wu-NC9I1bU/UEiaORoMvyI/AAAAAAAAAeY/NtNVWVf9qDM/s1600/2012-08-02+18.52.08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5Wu-NC9I1bU/UEiaORoMvyI/AAAAAAAAAeY/NtNVWVf9qDM/s320/2012-08-02+18.52.08.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>It's Throwback Thursday at KnitOasis! Here again are the reasons why taking a class is a Good Thing, with this added note:&nbsp;</b></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>Since I value the teacher-student relationship, I offer high-quality, in person classes, tutorials and consultations. As of this time there are no plans to offer online classes.</b></i></span><br /><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b>Upcoming classes include <a href="http://knitoasisclasses.blogspot.com/2014/02/startin-off-right-cast-ons.html#.UyGq4l7LCis">Cast-ons</a>,&nbsp;</b></i></span><br /><span style="color: #990000;"><i><b><a href="http://knitoasisclasses.blogspot.com/2014/02/indigo-dyeing-workshop-april-12.html#.UyGq517LCis">Indigo Dyeing Workshop</a> and <a href="http://knitoasisclasses.blogspot.com/2014/03/fair-isle-is-fun-evas-hat-april-26.html#.UyGqv17LCis">Fair Isle.</a> </b></i></span><br /><br /><i>Original posting--9/6/12:</i><br />Why take a knitting class? When there are books and online videos galore, how do you justify spending a few extra dollars to learn a new skill? <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><u>Quality instruction:</u> I've taught knitting for 6 years and I have been certified to teach by the Craft Yarn Council upon successful completion of Levels I and II of their Instructor's Program.&nbsp; The program was written by experienced knitters who also provide mentoring and evaluation for participants. I knit 20 swatches, developed 7 beginning and intermediate classes and submitted knitted and written patterns for 3 of these, wrote a pattern for a sweater, knit a sweater from another pattern for review, and passed two phone evaluations with one of the creators of the Instructor's Program.&nbsp; Credentials like these ensure that you will be taught the correct methods in keeping with industry standards.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY5vYLM6Q6k/UEiYSkh3I9I/AAAAAAAAAeA/skXLH9eqaYU/s1600/2012-06-14+20.08.57.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oY5vYLM6Q6k/UEiYSkh3I9I/AAAAAAAAAeA/skXLH9eqaYU/s320/2012-06-14+20.08.57.jpg" height="284" width="320" /></a></div><br /><u>Let someone else catch your mistakes before they get out of hand:</u> When you're new to knitting or to a technique, it's not always easy to see why you might be doing something wrong.&nbsp; With an experienced instructor to check your work, you can avoid developing bad knitting habits. Any class you take with me comes with free follow-up---your satisfaction is important to me!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wi9pUgx15g/UEiYZmGFKbI/AAAAAAAAAeI/b-WksidxJ4I/s1600/2012-06-14+20.25.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Wi9pUgx15g/UEiYZmGFKbI/AAAAAAAAAeI/b-WksidxJ4I/s320/2012-06-14+20.25.54.jpg" height="177" width="320" /></a></div><br /><u>Meet other knitters:</u> So many of my students take classes for this reason because they are new in town. Though I'm not new to the area, I still love to meet new people, especially knitters! I've had the privilege of meeting people from all over the world through knitting classes.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj3JyMZlYK4/UEiYL4clbrI/AAAAAAAAAd4/wypJx4Acm18/s1600/2012-06-14+20.07.58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pj3JyMZlYK4/UEiYL4clbrI/AAAAAAAAAd4/wypJx4Acm18/s200/2012-06-14+20.07.58.jpg" height="200" width="197" /></a><u>Bonus learning:</u> Because there are so many great tricks and techniques to make knitting easier, there's always something new to learn.&nbsp; You might take a class on intarsia and learn about a great new cast on method from one of your fellow classmates, for example.<br /><br /><u>Fun:</u> There's a reason our ancestors gathered for quilting bees and barnraisings--it really is fun to do stuff together!<br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-89799039638743036902014-03-12T09:55:00.000-04:002014-03-12T09:56:12.891-04:00On Friendship and Brushes with Greatness<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYfxuQMiUKY/UyBktZl6hVI/AAAAAAAABVM/9OScDlAKTD4/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYfxuQMiUKY/UyBktZl6hVI/AAAAAAAABVM/9OScDlAKTD4/s1600/IMG_0039.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My copy of this one is a little crumpled from reading it in the tub....</td></tr></tbody></table>Once upon a time, many long years ago, I hosted a Knitting Club for homeschoolers and their moms.&nbsp; We met at various churches in the area (having long ago outgrown my living room) and at one of these gatherings, I met a knitter and her daughter who were both very nice and seemed to enjoy our group.&nbsp; As we chatted one day, this mom and I, we discovered that we shared the same birthday month and day.&nbsp; In my mind, it was from this point that we became lifelong friends.<br /><br />Sadly, as is the case quite often in an area where military families are stationed, they moved away a few years ago and we now keep in touch through email (I'm horrible at this and keep hoping one day she will show up on Facebook, but until then I continually resolve to be a better emailer) and Ravelry.&nbsp; We trade knitting stories, life events, snowfall amounts (mostly that bit comes from her, not me) and she has been a huge help in my homeschooling journey, having kids who have graduated and become productive members of society.<br /><br />This morning I opened an email from her to discover that she had had a chance to meet one of her own personal knitting heroes--the Yarn Harlot, Stephanie Pearl-McPhee.&nbsp; If you are unfamiliar with the Yarn Harlot, it would be an excellent and wise use of your time to pour yourself a beverage, grab a snack and spend an hour or more reading through her blog (winner of more Canadian blogging awards than my blog), and then grab a few of her books and spend even more time reading those.&nbsp; She knits.&nbsp; She's good at it.&nbsp; She understands us.&nbsp; And she writes about it all in a way that I promise you will love. <br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.yarnharlot.ca/2014/03/as-fast-as-i-can/">Here</a></b> is an excellent post to begin with, if this is your first exposure to Ms. Pearl-McPhee.&nbsp; Read it, appreciate her humor and humanity, feel as I did the twinge of envy that they have enough knitters in their area to host a Yarn Harlot book signing,&nbsp; and be sure to scroll through all the pics.&nbsp; See the one of Janna in her shawl, holding up some socks? That's my friend's sweet (extremely talented knitter) daughter.&nbsp; Isn't she cute?&nbsp; And I have it on good authority that that shawl won first prize in their county fair. <br /><br />Congratulations to Janna on your continued knitting, your prize-winning knitwear, and your being featured in an award-winning, internationally famous knitting blog!&nbsp; I fully expect to come to YOUR book signings some day!&nbsp; Also, give your mom a hug from me--I sure do miss her, despite my infrequent emails!Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-10882585854976220602014-02-24T08:52:00.000-05:002014-02-24T08:52:35.172-05:00Knit Inn 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div>On February 7-9, it was my privilege once again to attend the SC Knitting Guild's annual Knit Inn.&nbsp; As always there were a lot of laughs, a lot of knitting, and many memories to cherish (or not, depending on your perspective, and if you hear the "cookie tantrum" story, trust me, it's very much exaggerated).<br /><br />This year I again taught the Vintage Winter Shawl class, which is SO much fun to teach!&nbsp; There were several finished shawls from last year's class in attendance and the lovely knitters who brought them made me feel like a Rock Star Teacher for sure.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wTtnLnFVJoE/UwtJx661HfI/AAAAAAAABUc/K5jLG0WH6CM/s640/blogger-image-1308446562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wTtnLnFVJoE/UwtJx661HfI/AAAAAAAABUc/K5jLG0WH6CM/s400/blogger-image-1308446562.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The best part of any Knit Inn weekend for me is connecting with old friends and making new ones, and this year was off the charts fabulous in that department.<br /><br />Until next year, y'all...keep on knitting!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rodFPBb63Ac/UwYObWJNa5I/AAAAAAAABT8/unHmglK4_Ro/s640/blogger-image--1900390740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-rodFPBb63Ac/UwYObWJNa5I/AAAAAAAABT8/unHmglK4_Ro/s400/blogger-image--1900390740.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-3110873912380659532014-02-19T09:00:00.000-05:002014-02-20T08:06:01.725-05:00Simple Knitting Tips: Organize your stitch markers<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Every now and then a knitting trick comes my way that it is so clever I wish I had either a) thought of it myself or b) heard about it sooner.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the Knit Inn this month, someone bought a project bag that had one of these Book Rings on it.&nbsp; Turned out that one of the uses for it was to keep your stitch markers organized and handy.&nbsp; GENIUS!&nbsp;&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>I've had a couple of these rings in my office supplies for years (no clue where they came from) and I am delighted to be able to tell you that you can actually BUY THESE AMAZING THINGS at your office supply store of choice (Mine is Staples, because EASY button, of course!).<br /><br />As you can see, they come in massive quantities and since I only need a few to keep my stitch markers ready for action, I've decided to share my largesse with the populace.&nbsp; So...if you're local (or happen to be in town) and you see me and mention this blog, I will happily give you some of these incredible knitting tools.&nbsp; Life changing, truly.<br /><span style="color: red;">2/20/14: Edited to add: The bag was courtesy of my friend Jessica, who was clever enough to buy it and show me the genius ring :)</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1dRTld-qY/UwOgE48sSzI/AAAAAAAABSk/U5TN4XEN9Hw/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TK1dRTld-qY/UwOgE48sSzI/AAAAAAAABSk/U5TN4XEN9Hw/s1600/IMG_0014.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaU9miKrwQ0/UwOgGGl6e3I/AAAAAAAABSs/clVpUgIgXtI/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaU9miKrwQ0/UwOgGGl6e3I/AAAAAAAABSs/clVpUgIgXtI/s1600/IMG_0015.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reminds me of some winter sports that are happening somewhere...</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DsIcZsSbeU/UwOgGcxGSCI/AAAAAAAABSw/iSao4rkyLSg/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7DsIcZsSbeU/UwOgGcxGSCI/AAAAAAAABSw/iSao4rkyLSg/s1600/IMG_0013.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organized and Adorable, just like me. (Except better)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </div>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-71327867783163659462014-02-14T09:03:00.000-05:002014-02-14T09:03:43.118-05:00Cast On Day: Red Scarf 2014<span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Today is Valentine's Day.&nbsp; Like most moms, I spent some time this week planning treats and gifts for Valentines Day for my family.&nbsp; Then, this morning I had the loveliest thought--because I sent a red scarf to the <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: red;"><b><a href="http://www.fc2success.org/programs/red-scarf-project-and-book-club/">Red Scarf Project</a></b></span>,</span> somewhere today a foster kid in college will have a warm scarf to wear and hopefully, hopefully, feel loved.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">This was such a nice thought to have on a day set aside for love, that I decided to make an Executive Decision... </span><br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I declare that today is the official cast-on day for Red Scarf Project 2014!</span></span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYBINpd3CiE/Uv4grDYYJ4I/AAAAAAAABR8/_aYrKlFT1Wg/s640/blogger-image--1695010075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gYBINpd3CiE/Uv4grDYYJ4I/AAAAAAAABR8/_aYrKlFT1Wg/s320/blogger-image--1695010075.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Presumptuous of me, perhaps, since I am in no way officially affiliated with the Red Scarf Project.&nbsp; I justify my Executive Decision like this:&nbsp; if what we need are volunteers to make the scarves, then I just volunteered to get the ball rolling for this year.&nbsp; And to start making a scarf.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">How about you?&nbsp; Do you have a few minutes each week to devote to a simple scarf, knit or crocheted in a red of any sort, to send to encourage a student next Valentine's Day? If we start today and knit on it throughout the year (or finish it tomorrow, depends on how fast you want to go) then by the fall we will have at least one scarf each to send.&nbsp; Pretty easy, and very loving. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Here is a summary of the guidelines to get you started. For complete details, go <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.fc2success.org/how-you-can-help/red-scarf-project/">here.</a></b></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,serif;">Make your scarf 5" to 8" wide, and 60" long, suitable for a guy or a gal, in red.&nbsp; Any type of red will work, including striping in other colors because you didn't buy enough red in one dye lot (don't ask).&nbsp; Knit it in something soft (I usually use easy-care acrylic and acrylic blends--if you use wool or anything else, you might want to include washing instructions/fiber content). Scarves can be sent in from September 1-December 15.&nbsp; Any pattern will work, but if you want something easy and adorable (totally prejudiced here), try my Free <b><a href="http://knitoasiscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/brickworks-scarf.html#.Uv4e9PbTyCc">Brickworks Scarf.</a></b> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote><br /></blockquote>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-54135023474489981152014-02-05T11:04:00.000-05:002014-02-05T11:04:56.383-05:00Scenes from last month, plus a change in venue.I wanted to share some scenes from the January Indigo Dyeing Workshop, held at The Charleston Museum: <br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dREdYFWnQr4/UvJUtP_LXzI/AAAAAAAABQk/3qif1J6tFnQ/s1600/IMG_2125.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dREdYFWnQr4/UvJUtP_LXzI/AAAAAAAABQk/3qif1J6tFnQ/s1600/IMG_2125.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gradient!</td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvkJ3asUATY/UvJbyOtS0nI/AAAAAAAABRA/dSyyj9ySQiQ/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvkJ3asUATY/UvJbyOtS0nI/AAAAAAAABRA/dSyyj9ySQiQ/s1600/IMG_2094.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dyers at work</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbjA2vl1Kgg/UvJbv8aj1jI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Q3UV8NM2ZG0/s1600/IMG_2096.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FbjA2vl1Kgg/UvJbv8aj1jI/AAAAAAAABQ0/Q3UV8NM2ZG0/s1600/IMG_2096.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had 2 big vats this time to accommodate the large group.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipWlXHWS92E/UvJbyA59P3I/AAAAAAAABQ8/LpcFJlifclo/s1600/IMG_2099.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ipWlXHWS92E/UvJbyA59P3I/AAAAAAAABQ8/LpcFJlifclo/s1600/IMG_2099.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigo</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GpfP6YBtiCg/UvJbzKpbnuI/AAAAAAAABRM/XwJRICbbE20/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GpfP6YBtiCg/UvJbzKpbnuI/AAAAAAAABRM/XwJRICbbE20/s1600/IMG_2126.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A before and after!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbcNEvJAkgs/UvJczIUWtxI/AAAAAAAABRY/hAqzdytNyQo/s1600/IMG_2115.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VbcNEvJAkgs/UvJczIUWtxI/AAAAAAAABRY/hAqzdytNyQo/s1600/IMG_2115.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tie dye awesomeness </td></tr></tbody></table><br />Looks like fun, doesn't it?&nbsp; Participants always tell me they had fun, and heaven knows I have a blast!&nbsp; Every workshop is unique and a little bit different from the last one.&nbsp; The next one might be a whole LOT different!<br /><br />We will be taking the dyeing to the Dill next time!&nbsp; The Charleston Museum has a beautiful spot out on James Island and when we haul out the dye vats again, it will be to go to the Dill Sanctuary.&nbsp; You can see some fun pics from the recent Charleston Museum Oyster Roast<b> <a href="http://blog.charlestonmuseum.org/2013/01/oyster-roast-2013.html#.UvJfc_bTyCc">here. </a></b><br /><br />Registration will open soon, check back on the <b><a href="http://knitoasisclasses.blogspot.com/">Classes page</a></b> for more information as it becomes available.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-74392242049148492932014-01-29T17:40:00.000-05:002014-01-29T17:40:44.391-05:00Simple Knitting Tips: Know Your Chart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MF-WXXygJg/UumAPva7xNI/AAAAAAAABQA/NUmHmnE16hA/s1600/IMG_0008_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3MF-WXXygJg/UumAPva7xNI/AAAAAAAABQA/NUmHmnE16hA/s1600/IMG_0008_2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Simple Knitting Tips: Know Your Chart</u></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Lately </span><span style="font-size: large;">I've been working on charting some new designs.&nbsp; I could just write them out "k2, p2, k5, p2...." and I probably will, but some designs are just so much easier to knit using a chart rather than written directions.&nbsp; Some new (and not so new) knitters shy away from charts as being too complicated and hard to follow.&nbsp; I understand, I really do.&nbsp; What makes it even more of a challenge is that not all chart symbols are universal.&nbsp; Sometimes " I " means knit and sometimes " . "&nbsp; means knit.&nbsp; What?? Confusion! Chaos!! Rioting in the streets!!!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Naturally, I have an easy way to stop the madness:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: #783f04;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bookmarks.</span></span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">I have a folder of bookmarks on my browser where I keep bookmarks to sites with lists of different types of knitting symbols.&nbsp; If the chart I am using doesn't make sense, then one of these knitting sites is bound to help. &nbsp;</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tata-tatao.to/knit/stitches/e-index.html"><span style="font-size: large;">The ABC's</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/FEATcharts.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Knitty</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.vogueknitting.com/pattern_help/how-to/pattern_reading/reading_charts.aspx"><span style="font-size: large;">Vogue Knitting</span></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/chart_knit.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Craft Yarn Council</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://tutorials.knitpicks.com/wptutorials/read-a-lace-chart/">KnitPicks</a> </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Granted, most patterns you work with should have a key to the symbols used in their chart.&nbsp; If you get stuck, or if you're just learning the fine art of chart reading, a little help can go a long way.&nbsp;&nbsp; Also, don't be afraid to try a pattern just because it has a chart.&nbsp; Just take it one stitch at a time, use your resources, ask for help and go as slow as you need to.&nbsp; Oh, and one more thing....don't forget to have fun! </span><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-57949567662602625542014-01-21T09:31:00.000-05:002014-01-21T09:31:25.328-05:00Simple Knitting Tips: Label before stashing<br />Simple Knitting Tip:<br />Label your yarn before you put it in your stash and forget why you bought it....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPnPSH9mT_A/UtVrY7Czr1I/AAAAAAAABO0/RIAJ1SMwAKo/s1600/IMG_0908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPnPSH9mT_A/UtVrY7Czr1I/AAAAAAAABO0/RIAJ1SMwAKo/s320/IMG_0908.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />You and I should both be doing this via <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/">Ravelry</a> or <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wooly-a-ravelry-companion-app/id521579047">Wooley</a>. If, however, you haven't yet achieved that high stage of technological advancement necessary for this, you absolutely MUST slap a sticky note on the yarn label.&nbsp; I am very prone to forget what sock yarn is planned for whose socks, for example, so this method keeps me sane.&nbsp; Unfortunately, I have only recently (in the past year) begun this technique, so I am probably wearing your socks.&nbsp;&nbsp; They are awesome.<br /><br /><br />Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-338057681154738714.post-37432133999069999922014-01-17T08:30:00.000-05:002014-01-17T08:30:02.721-05:00Some days are different. PS: Take your knittingToday I will have a different day. My normal routine will be replaced by packing and travel, excitement and nerves. Today we travel to another city, in another state, because tomorrow, my SuperCraftyDancerGirl will be auditioning for a ballet summer intensive.&nbsp; Don't worry, as always, I will pack my knitting first!<br /><div><br /></div><div>Most of my readers know my <b><a href="http://josiegoff.blogspot.com/">daughter</a>,</b> since she has been with me on my knitting (and dyeing!) journey from the beginning. It was, in fact, her request to learn to knit that started it all, 9 years ago.&nbsp; (One of the reasons I love knitters is that those of you who have met her at various classes, workshops and knitting groups always ask about her in those occasions when she's not with me at a knitting/fiber event. You guys are so sweet!)<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KV_Tigh2ht8/UthHrP21iwI/AAAAAAAABPk/LLsaZEgmy2U/s640/blogger-image--1002307846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-KV_Tigh2ht8/UthHrP21iwI/AAAAAAAABPk/LLsaZEgmy2U/s320/blogger-image--1002307846.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready for her first recital: Age 6</td></tr></tbody></table>When we both learned to knit, she caught on more quickly, remembered things better and knit way past anything I could even imagine.&nbsp; For her, it was no trouble at all to knit a cardigan sweater for her American Girl doll--no pattern, she just figured it out.&nbsp; It took me years to get to the level that she started out on. In her crafting (knitting, sewing, embroidery, card making, jewelry making, etc) she has excelled both in ability and enjoyment.<br /><br />Tomorrow, though, she will set aside her knitting needles for a bit to do something that perhaps she loves most--ballet.&nbsp; This won't be unusual for her: she dances 5 days a week, 3-4 hours at a time during the school year. She has even auditioned before, with plans to audition twice more in the next few weeks.&nbsp; The difference? This is another BIG step on her journey toward her goal of becoming a professional dancer.&nbsp; With this step she also moves closer to her life as an adult. Soon (so soon) she will be on her own, a step that I knew was coming when she asserted her first toddler act of independence at age 3.&nbsp; While part of me would love for her to be always available for a design consultation, a knitting opinion, or even to help out with house work, I know she has to move on.&nbsp; As a parent, we spend 18 years of our child's life, pouring our heart and soul, energy and money, into this project, this little person. We work so hard to work ourselves out of a job!<br /><br />At this stage in her life, I have trouble putting into words just how proud I am of my daughter.&nbsp; Before the audition, before the summer intensive, before even the acceptance into a ballet Company, she has made her dad and I very proud with her hard work, her dedication, her sense of humor, her kindness and her love. She's a good kid (her brother is, too).<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bmJY-Ol-DtI/UthHpg7on6I/AAAAAAAABPc/YeH8CJ_Kg9A/s640/blogger-image-201158008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bmJY-Ol-DtI/UthHpg7on6I/AAAAAAAABPc/YeH8CJ_Kg9A/s640/blogger-image-201158008.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the studio for auditions photo shoot: last month</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So when you see me in the coming months and wonder why my knitting shadow isn't around, please know that she is working hard on her dream--she's probably at rehearsal, ballet class, or even away taking dance instruction for long hours for those 5 weeks this summer.** And if I look a little sad, I might be missing her, so, be a pal, would ya? Chocolate helps.</div><div><br />**If you are interested in helping her achieve her dream, she is working to<a href="http://josiegoff.blogspot.com/p/support-me.html"> raise the money she needs for the program</a> this summer and is actively looking for generous people to help sponsor this part of her ballet journey.&nbsp; Every little bit helps and is greatly appreciated! </div><div><br /></div>Tamara Goffhttps://plus.google.com/110128639507868887189noreply@blogger.com0